The mansard loft conversion takes its name from a French architect, Francois Mansard who was prominent in the 17th Century. Unlike other types of attic makeover, this one is generally constructed to the rear of your property. There are a number of other elements that set a Mansard apart from standard loft conversions.

Roof StyleThere is only one of roof that is available with a Mansard, and it's a flat roof. However, it does feature a back wall which has to slope at a 72 degree angle

Planning PermissionMost loft conversions don't require any planning permission unless the are 40 cubic metres in a terraced property or 50 cubic metres in a semi-detached or detached property. However, the Mansard is different and will require permissions. This is because it completely alters the overall shape and structure of your roof

Suitable properties

A Mansard is suitable for any type of property. Whilst it has been most commonly attributed to terraced houses, it is also suitable for semi's, detached, and even a bungalow or chalet.

If you have a property where the roof isn't greater than the 2.2m headroom requirement, then this is a very good option because the construction process will change the shape and if necessary the height of your roof

Pros and ConsOne the plus side:

A Mansard can have a variety of finishes to help it to blend in with your existing property. This includes having cladding, being rendered or you could even opt for the exposed brickwork look

This type of loft conversion will really make use of all the available space in your roof

However, the negatives are:

This type of conversion is the most expensive because it requires a lot of construction work to be carried out, which also means that it could take the longest to build

Due to the Mansard requiring a heavy rota of building work that will completely change the shape of your roof, it will require planning permission and this can take a while for it to be approved

Of all the different type of loft conversions that you could opt for, this is perhaps the one that will offer the most long term satisfaction because it blends into your existing house. The mansard is the most expensive of all the conversions, but it has the advantage of using your roof space to its fullest potential.